Be Bike Smart – Wear a Helmet

Falling off your bicycle can result in serious head trauma and even the most experienced riders are at risk of a collision. A properly fitted and safety certified helmet is the single most effective way to prevent head injury resulting from a bicycle crash.

Bike helmet legislation Under Manitoba law, it’s compulsory for anyone under 18 years old to wear a properly fitted and fastened helmet when cycling.

It’s also the smart thing to do — according to recent statistics, nearly 70 per cent of cyclists injured, and almost 95 per cent of cyclists killed, in collisions with a vehicle were not wearing a helmet.

The law also applies to children when they are passengers on a bicycle or are riding on/in anything attached to or towed by a bicycle.

Helmets must be certified by standards such as the Canadian Standards Association (CSA), Snell Memorial Foundation, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) or the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Always check the label. Parents or guardians are responsible for making sure children wear a bicycle helmet. If a parent or guardian knowingly allows their child under the age of 14 to ride without a bicycle helmet, they can be ticketed under The Highway Traffic Act. Teenagers between the ages of 14 and 18 can be fined directly. Adults are encouraged to be a role model for children and wear a helmet every time they cycle.

Choose a helmet that:

is certified by a recognized safety standards organization

is well-ventilated

is colorful so it’s easily visible

fits snugly even with the chin strap undone

*Source: Traffic c Accident Report Database, 2008–2012

For more information on Bike safety, sharing the road, common traffic situations, and what do to if you are in a collision: